The National tribune., 1887-11-17
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
FITZPATRICK VS.. WHEELER
The Cavalry Fight Mt waynesboro, Ga.

IAALE IAlAIA Vs. w A-N-~A -
The Cavalry Fight nt waynesbOrO, Ga.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Recently
have been much interested in cavalry work IN
the Army of the Potomac, as published from
time TO time in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
Perhaps an account of a little thing IN that
line" which happened in Georgia may not he
embarrassing.
Il is well known that in the march 20 the sea
the infantry boys saw very few armed rebels
until the neighbOrhoOd of Savannah was
reached and il is equally well known that the
cavalry command under Gen. Fitzpatrick was
nearly every day engaged with Nheelers Com
federatcs. Almost every skirmish took place
in our rear Mheelers attacks being so success
fully repulsed that the objects of the cavalry
campaign were never seriously interfered with,
although prompt action on the part OF the Con-
federate authorities prevented the release oil
the prisoners at both Andersonville and Millen.
While these were, as set forth in orders from
Gen sherman, objects OF prime Importance, the
same orders made the destruction of
RAILROAD BRIDGES AT MACON
and waynosboro OF equal Importance; in fact,
the latter was TO be accomplished as a prere-
quisitc 10 the former.
Up TO the 2sth of November the cavalry
orders had been. in effect, Avoid an engage
ment when possible" but they were then
changed 10 "Give Wheeler all the fight he de-
eires I" Such an order to such a man as Gen.
Fitzpatrick was equivalent to instructions
TO BREAK WHEELER UP,
and 10 hunt for him. instead OF allowing him to
hunt for MS. At least Gen. Wheeler soon found
the difference between the hunter and the
hunted Unaware OF the changed instructions,
Gen Wheeler, early on the morning OF Dec q,
before daylight in fact, commenced lively
Smelling of the camp of Gen. Fitzpatrick; most
OF the shells falling in the space allotted TO the
Second Brigade, under Col. 5. ID. Atkins, 92d
H.. but doing very little damage. 1t was
enough, however 10 fire the impetuous Kill
patrick aud the ringing notes of boots and
saddles" were so quickly followed by the NOV
ing out of the First Brigade that it might have
been said the only signal was the pulling of the
lanyards on the rebel guns. Only waiting for
the First Brigade 20 clear the road, Col. Atkins's
command was formed in column and moved
forward to a rising piece of ground just beyond
which. upon another knoll, was the rebel line
OF battle. The First Brigade was deployed on
the left of our line, with instructions TO find
aud, il possible, turn the right of the enemy,
while the Second occupied position nearly OPP
p0site the center of Whoelers line. In the
meantime portion of the Second Brigade had
been detached 10 confront Mheelers left, which
was posted in woody strip across railroad
track from the main command. While the
First Brigade was feeling for the right OF
Wheeler,
GEN. FITZPATRICK DECIDED TO MAKE AN AT
TACK
in front for the purpose of distracting attention
from the main point of attack. Accordingly
the 92d III. was dismounted as skirmishers,
and advanced, 10 find the enemy posted in
strong force in two lines of battle. The regi-
ment was, after sufficiently developing the
condition of affairs, withdrawn to give room
for the 10Th Ohio Cav. This regiment made
the charge mounted, in fine style, but was re-
pulsed falling back i'm good order 10 its old
position, after succeeding in compelling the
enemy 10 vacate his first line. Promptly the
order was given to the 9th Mich. Cav. 10 charge
the second line, although the fog and smoke
was now so dense as TO almost totally obscure
she enemys position. The 9th had remained
in column up TO this time, and was depleted
by the detail of one battalion to operate on the
right of the railroad, as before mentioned.
IL was necessary 10 pass house so situated
and surrounded by picket fence that the col
umn formation was kept, but as this obstaclS
was cleared the companies came into line, bat
talon front and swept with flashing saber'
down the slope and up the opposite one in q
style which Gen. Fitzpatrick pronounced unsnr
passed within his knowledge. Holding steadily
toward, the two lines preserved their formation
until the rebel line was reached, which was
found TO be strongly posted behind rail barri
cades and Col. Acker ordered the recall. Tn,
bAJ1NA va NhN ShoABS hoNi AAO"SN~Ai pD~A oN~
cOmplished
Adjutant Cook was captured, having pene
trated the line ia an endeavor TO
CAPTURE THE BATTLE-FLAG
OF the % Ga. While this was going forward
the First Brigade had reached its OBJECTIVE
point, and so well were matters conducted tina
the enemy broke and fled in confusion through
Mayncsboro Fitzpatrick pushed the advantag
thus gained until Wheeler had passed Bria
Greek, the railroad bridge over which wa
burned by our men.
On the morning before this action, Gen. Xii
patrick's effective strength was less than 5000
while that of Wheeler as reported by one O
his division commanders, was nearly 1900
The discipline in the rebel ranks was, however
very lax, as many of the men were busily en-
gagged in pundering in Waynesboro while tn
action was in progress but q short distanC
away.
do not give the losses, rs have no oflicil
reports readily accessible. The writer was toll
by those who were in position TO know tina
portions OF Buffers and HamptOn's command
were under MheeleT's orders that day. it
certain that Gen. Fitzpatrick could AT any tim
outgeneral Wheeler as the persistent attack
on the latter's front in the action detailed hei
completely deceived the rebel as 10 the mai
point of attack.-W. W. Cook, Adjutant, 81
Mich Cav. Lansing, Mich.
o.